Spyke
permacomputing·PermacomputingbySam_uk

A tiny Linux computer with a keyboard, a daylight-readable screen, and a long-range transceiver

Just started shipping their (eyewateringly expensive) crowdsupply version https://www.crowdsupply.com/morpheans/sharpikeebo

Sources and Gerbers available so you could get a couple fabbed at JLPCB or fab of your choice fairly easily https://github.com/ccadic/sharpikeebo/tree/main/V1222

I'd be inclined to run it with an open hardware replacement for the Zero such as https://openkits.easyeda.com/project/detail/lctspi-rk3566-2g-16g

View original on slrpnk.net
93
Comments13
floquant
lemmy.dbzer0.com

Pretty cool, but I'd just chop off the bottom half and use anything else as an input device.

9
Troyreply
lemmy.ca

So just get an rpi then :)

3
floquantreply
lemmy.dbzer0.com

I really do like the concept, but bare PCB buttons are ok for navigation but just awful for typing honestly. Maybe some of those mouse microswitches could be neat

2
perestroika
slrpnk.net

It's a nice one.

I have a Pocket Chip somewhere standing abandoned. It was sad to see them go out.

Currently, my preferred kit originates from drone ground stations:

  • a widely supported (e.g. Waveshare or SpotPear or even official Raspberry Pi) screen with a Pi4 on the back, video via flat cable or short HDMI jumper, touch can be arranged via USB or I2C
  • if there needs to be a keyboard, I use an onscreen keyboard (benefit: as many languages as you can speak)
  • for radio comms, a ridiculously good USB WiFi card (criteria of good: can enter monitor / inject mode, can raise output power beyond 100 mW)
  • if that falls short, an RF amplifier (which means the output power can be raised to 10 watts and is blatantly illegal)
  • if that falls short, a directional antenna (which means that radiated power is focused into a narrow beam)

The downsides:

  • price: Pi4: 38 €, screen 65 €, WiFi 50 €, amplifier (if needed) 40 €, 5 amp USB battery bank 10 €, a separate battery bank for the amp, cells for the banks 2 € each, microSD card, antenna... the total aproaches 250 euros or even 300 if you have high standards

  • weight and clumsiness: loose wires waiting to get pulled out, the kit weighs half a kilo, maybe more, you better buy an instrument case to house it

But you can beam video across a bay or between mountains, just don't get caught doing it. :) But not across a forest on flat ground.

2
Sam_ukreply
slrpnk.net

It is stupidly expensive, but also fairly easy to get them made

2

You reached the end

A tiny Linux computer with a keyboard, a daylight-readable screen, and a long-range transceiver | Spyke